Stenographic notebook holder



June 15, 1948. H. J. LARSEN STENOGRAPHIO NOTEBOOK HOLDER 2 Sheets-Sheet1 Filed Aug. 8, 1946 June, 15, 1948. H. J. LARSEN STENOGRAPHIC NOTEBOOKHOLDER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fild Aug. 8, 1946 HERBERTJ- LH/RSE/V,

Patented June 15, 1948 STENOGRAPHIC NOTEBOOK HOLDER Herbert J. Larsen,Chevy Chase, Md., assignor to Larsen & Co. Inc., Washington, D. 0., acorporation of Delaware Application August s, 1946, Serial No. 689,285

4 Claims. 1

This invention relates to devices for supporting stenographic notebooksand the like in a suitable position on a desk so that the shorthandntations may be easily read during transcription on a typewriter.

It is an object of the invention to provide such a device which, unlikethe usual cumbersome devices employed for this purpose, is of simple construction and which will suitably support the notebook in either of twopositions. The device secures the covers of the notebook at an acuteangle to each other thus permitting the notebook to support itself. Inone of its two positions the notebook is adapted to rest on those edgesof the cover which are opposite the hinge. In the other position of use,one cover of the notebook rests flat on the desk surface with the hingeedge toward the typist and with the other cover extending upwardly atangle so that the pages supported thereby are within full View of thetypist.

The invention has as a further object the provision of a device forholding notebooks in position for the transcription of shorthand notes,which device may be easily manufactured from sheet metal, such as sheetspring steel or the like.

In such form of the invention the device is constructed to perform asecond function. When not in use as a notebook holder it may serve toremove staples of the type now commonly employed to secure a number ofsheets of paper together. For such purpose the device is formed with apair of inwardly directed, oppositely disposed, pointed prongs, which,when the device is pressed between the thumb and forefinger are adaptedto be inserted between the staple and the paper and to remove thestaple. It is an important object of the invention to provide a devicecapable of performing these two distinct and useful functions.

These and other objects of the invention will become more apparent fromthe following description and claims when read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of one form of the device.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the use of the device inholding a shorthand notebook in one position for the transcription ofthe notes.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing how the device holds a shorthandnotebook in the other posi 2 as being gripped between the thumb andforefinger for the removal of a staple.

Fig. 8 is horizontal section taken through the device, lookin downwardlyas the staple removing prongs of the device are about to enter andremove a staple, and

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a modified form of the invention capableof use as a notebook holder.

As illustrated in Figs. 1 to 8 inclusive, the device may be comprised ofsheet metal, such as spring steel. It is formed with two flat sides I0and I2 disposed. in planes which are normally at an acute angle to eachother and connected integrally at one end by a curved hinge portion l4.

One side edge of each of the flat sides l0 and I2 is formed with flatcover engaging elements It and I8 respectively. These are integralwith-the flat sides and are bent back soas to be disposed in planessubstantially parallel to and spaced from the outer surfaces of the fiatsides l0 and I2.

The edges of the fiat sides l0 and I2 opposite the hinge portion 14 areformed with integral, inwardly projecting triangular prongs 20 and 22,which, as will be described hereinafter, are used when the device isemployed in removing staples. The tips of these prongs 20 and 22, whenthe device is in normal inoperative position, are slightly spaced fromeach other (see Figs. 1 and 4). They extend from opposite ends of edgesof the sides l0 and I2 and as will be clear from Fig. 8 are in the formof right angled triangles with their edges 24, 26 parallel, and slightlyspaced so as to slide past each other when the tips of the prongs. are

disposedbeneath a staple 28 and the sides l0 and I2 of the device aresqueezed toward each other.

Figs. 2 and 3 illustrate the manner in which the device may be employed.to support a stenographic notebook 30 in position on a desk or the likeso that the stenographic notes may be easily viewed for transcription.From these figures it will be posed pages of the notebook or the innerfaces ofthe covers themselves. Moreover, ,because the sides Ill and I2themselves are connected'by a hinge portion [4 also of spring material,it will be appreciated that positioning of the device The covers of thebook are then In and I2 maybe-disposed closer toithesides than the freeends ofthe elements. In other-words, the

plane of the elements [8 and I8 may diverge slightly outward from theplane of the sides III- I Since the device may .be..con structed.of

and I2. spring steel or the like, it will now 'becle'ar that each sideH1 and Hand itsmespective: element:- 116 and I8 is adapted to clampbetween themacover of the notebook or the cover and the pages lyingthere against. 7

In the position shown in Fig. 2 the device holds the covers of thenotebook securely so ith'atrt'he.

edges of the notebook opposite the hinge may rest on the surface of=the'desk without slipping apart.

When the typist hastranscribedallmfatheshorthandnotes on page 32 =(Flg.2) the notebook; still clampedby the device, may be -vmoved to theposition shown-imFig. 3. Insthat position, page 32 which has just beentranscribedis fiat against the surfaceofzthe-desk, and .pagefihs-nowpositioned in lyiewof the typist =for. transcribing,

In accordance with another feature of the-inventiomthe device isprovided-with the-special prongs .20 and 22- -.-(which-havebeendescribed). Thepurpose of, these prongs is to enable the deviceto-beeemployed. as a staple remover whenyit-is not employed as. a notebookholder. This added feature renders the devicedoub-ly useful ,tothestenographer, and in .large. o-ffices particularl-y,-:results in savingand efficiency.

1 he-. use=ofthe device .as a-.staple remover isillustratedespeciallyi-nFigs-2'7 and:8.- Fig.-'7'shows asheaf.oflpapersdll-securedby the staple 28.. The device; is .shownas. being gripped between; the.thumband forefingerof the user. Whenv so held theydevi-ce iszplaced-onthepazpenso-that the-points of rthe .prongs20.-and-12 2 are positionedon, each s'ide.of .-the.staple 28y (Figs-8).. The sides of the devicesaretthenpressed: together causing. the prongs -:2 ti and 2-2 to beinserted between the staple 28:and"the paper; As theprongspassbeneaththe staple, the combined width-.ofithe 'prongsbecomeslargerthan-thelength of. the-staple. andthe staple is-ssheared: and.freedfromithe'paperi Such actionzds similar -to-: that of: some. staple."removers nowsfrequent-lyyused and apart from :the tract. that the.present device incorporates the staplerernovingcfeature" along withother ;featunes;,;:no :novelty iscclaimed; for :the shape of the prongsand their function:

Thezelements I 6-: and :I 8 of. the. device-:d'o, how-P. ever;:..periorma. useful; and? {important function: whenithedeviceds used as .astapleremover. Itis these elements with which the thumb-:and-iorefingerofi the user-come in contact-.whemthede, vice -is gripped.'When-nthestaple is finally' seV-. cred; byr-the "device .the twomembers, l'flwand. I2 snap together. withia slightv jan- Thisw-jar isnot, however-, transmitted: to-:the user since the olements 1 Grand.Hiact fin I'UTB manner of-shock -ab sorbers.-. Thus; the elements. lBrand. l8aperform1- toxin-"inclusive canbe.made from aasinsieunitaryLl-l integral blank of sheet metal such as spring steel, which is thenbent into the form illustrated, and if desired, heat treated in a mannerto assure the spring character of the material. The spring character ofthe material insures the clamping action when the device is used as anotebook holder, and when employed as a staple remover causes'thedeviceto assume its normal shape after the sides have-been pressedtogetherin the staple removing operation.

In addition to the advantages of simplicity of .manufactureandthecapability of the device of performing two functions, both well, theinvention .possesses the attribute of being small in size. 4Either wheninuse, or when stored ready for use,

it occupies but very little space in contrast to many cumbersome copybook holders.

A modified form of the invention is illustrated in Fig. 9. In thismodification the device is not provided with the staple removing featurebut serves admirably as a stenographic notebook holdeix. Here :the.device advantageously be. formed .of a relatively thick strip ofplastic, suchas transparent Lucite or the like. The strip 42'is bentintermediate its ends so that the resulting opposed sides are disposedat a suitable angle to support anotebook properly. Side edgesof thestrip 42. have elements M and d6 securedthereto by rivets 68 or thelike. These elements 44 and 46 are then bent back over the edges of thestrip and into planes which are spaced from and substantialh parallelto-the sides of the device but die verge slightly from. the planes ofthe sides. In .1188 thedevice ;is secured to the notebook so that thecovers and supported pages of the notebook are clamped between the sidesof the device and the elements 44 and 46, similarly to the device inFigs. 2.and 3.- The-elements 4 3 andfifi'are preferably;

of spring metal so as to insure the clamping? ac tion heretoforediscussed.

The modification illustrated in Figwfimay be comprisedof anumberof-dirlerent materials;such

as fiber, vulcanized rubber, metal and the like.

Preferably, however, the material of the strip 42 should possess aslight flexible or springquality.

If desired the elements id and 58 may be of; the

same materialas the strip 22 and integraltherewith. In such case theelements M and it will'b-e' po-sed'norrnallyat an acute angle toeachother and joined together by a spring hinge portion, each-memberhaving one side edge which extends from said hinge portion and whichside edge has a flat element projecting laterally therefrom and.

bent back over the outer face of the member from which itprojects soar;to be positioned in a plane spaced-fromand ata slight angle from theplane of the member, whereby side edge portionsof :a' oover of anotebook adjacent .the hinge of the notebook may be engaged between saidelements and said-flat members and held substantially-tat said acutevangle of the clip thus permitting the; notebook to be supported in suchopenposition on:

a-deskj-surtace. I 1

2. A clip for-holding stenographic notebooks and the likein position forthe transcription of; notes therefrom, said clip being of spring sheetmetal and having two flatmembers disposed. normally at an acute angle.:to each other and; joined together; byan integral; spring. hinge.portion.

stenographic notebooks andeach member having one side edge extendingfrom said hinge portion and which side edge has an integral rectangularsheet metal flat element projecting laterally therefrom and bent backover the outer face of the member from which it projects so as to bepositioned in a plane spaced from and at a slight angle from the planeof the member, whereby side edge portions of the cover of a notebookadjacent the hinge of the notebook may be engaged between said elementsand said members and held substantially at said acute angle of the clipthus permitting the notebook to be supported in such open position on adesk surface.

3. A clip for holding stenographic notebooks and the like in positionfor the transcription of notes therefrom, said clip having two flatmembers disposed normally at an acute angle to each other and joinedtogether by a spring hinge portion, each member having one side edgewhich extends from said hinge portion and which side edge has a flatelement projecting laterally therefrom and bent back over the outer faceof the member from which it projects so as to be positioned in a planespaced from and at a. slight angle from the plane of the member, wherebyside edge portions of the cover of a notebook adjacent the hinge of thenotebook may be engaged between said elements and said flat members andheld substantially at said acute angle of the clip thus permitting thenotebook to be supported in such open position on a desk surface, theedges of the fiat members opposite the hinge of the clip each havinginwardly projecting prongs, whereby the device may also be employed as astaple remover by inserting the tips of the prongs between the stapleand the paper and squeezing the members of the clip toward each other.

4. A clip for holding stenographic notebooks and the like in positionfor the transcription of notes therefrom, said clip being of springsheet metal and having two fiat members disposed normally at an acuteangle to each other and joined together by an integral sprin hingeportion, each member having one side edge extending from said hingeportion and which side edge has an integral rectangular sheet metal flatelement projecting laterally therefrom and bent back over the outer faceof the member from which it projects so as to be positioned in a planespaced from and at a slight angle from the plane of the member, wherebyside edge portions of the cover of a notebook adjacent the hinge of thenotebook may be engaged between said elements and said members and heldsubstantially at said acute angle of the clip thus permitting thenotebook to be supported in such open position on a desk surface, theedges of the members opposite the hinge of the clip each having aninwardly projecting flat triangular prong, whereby the clip may also beemployed as a staple remover by inserting the tips of the prong betweenthe staple and the paper and squeezing the elements of the clip towardeach other.

HERBERT J. LARSEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 567,221 Cook Sept. 8, 18961,169,869 Richards Feb. 1, 1916 1,242,914 Blatt Oct. 16, 1917 1,321,592Brown Nov. 11, 1919

